la Brocanteuse

Nov 7, 2010

My Brocante

Hello my dear friendsI'm back! It has been a whirlwind of getting ready, unpacking, setting up for my Brocante Event at Lourensford Wine Estate. The venue was gasping beautiful and it was a pleasure arriving there early every morning .

Driving through historical vineyards and surrounded by the majestic HottentotsHolland mountains, was the perfect start to each day.

It was a privilege to be part of KAMERSVOL 2010. I am happy to say that the event was a huge success and we had 14 100 visitors through the gates, (not counting the under 18 year olds as they were given free entrance)

Setting up was both exciting and daunting... We had 3 days to set up. I started with the funiture and larger pieces, leaving the smalls and prized

monogrammed linen for the last day

The opening night for 700 invited guests was major hard work and set the tone for the days to follow.

the first furniture item to sell...

two of these over sized Belgian chairs

upholstered with original German grain bags.

on the last day before opening night, every one pitched in to help ..

DD helped other vendors unpack their goods since mine was "old news" and her nanny - Melody- got stuck into pricing some smalls...we hand sewn some hearts from vintage linen and added old laundry monograms and little religious medals -nothing went to waste.

Twine rolls on old wood batons..

Rolls of Jut stamped with "Paris"...sold out quickly

The selected French monogrammed linen was a best seller..I added daily and was almost sold out.

religious statues and globes added some surprising interest - I am happy about this since there are around 40 more globes waiting to be unpacked this week...

French flags lined the one side of my stand-

..upholstered a French Bergere in pale aubergine velvet found in Paris...I could have sold this chair over and over...I am happy that a friend got this since I will get to see it often

I thank all for letting me be...

The visitors who drove all the way from allover, to come and visit me a second time, and even a third time, was acknowledgment that they loved what I love..the old , the vintage, the memories that I brought back from the French countryside... Thank you for loving what I love!

this young designer fell in love with this French lace cloth- she was thinking about making it into a wedding dress

Some of these old French La Poste cushions are on their way to America- yes we had visitors from allover the globe. Another has gone to England.

I do apologize to all those visitors who I did not have time to chat .

Please feel free to mail me a

colette@lecapfoods.com

should you have any questions or queries.

Apart from the pre-event pictures taken by DD,it is hard to believe that I did not have time to take any pictures..yes..me who always try and hold on to memories by capturing the moment..there was NO TIME!! as fast as goods sold, I added more stock so the vignettes was ever changing. most of the images I share here were found on the web taken by different visitors..thank you all!

at Sue Langerman's booth stocked with vintage jewelery and smalls, DD fell in love with this 1950's knee length wedding dress , complete with no less then six layers of petticoats..

my most precious memory

thank you all for the encouraging support,

yes

it is the beginning of a lot more!

and thank you for endless cups of latte delivered by these lovely ladies to keep me going

Everything looks so lovely. I know it had to be a smashing success and now you are undoubtedly exhausted. Preparing, setting up, selling and tearing it all down and packing it up is the hardest of work. We did a few shows early on and decided it just wasn't for us.

my hat is off to you. Hope you get a little time for yourself this week. Congratulations on a job well done! Mona

Bonjour Colette~ how wonderful to hear about your adventure in such a beautiful location. That velvet chair is absolutley divine, definitely la creme~de~la~creme!! and the gorgeous lace oh la la!! You certainly deserve a rest . Well Done & I'm so please it was a success ~ that makes it worth the effort. ~Dianne~

Colette, you need to open an online shop please! I would have purchased several items you've shown here, especially that burlap covered sette almost hidden in your linen picture. I'm glad you had a wondered week and DD looks cute twirling in her dress!

I am so glad you started blogging Colette! You are incredible! Wish I could have been there...so many gorgeous items, such creativity. And I adore that photo of your daughter twirling at the end. Can't wait till you open your online shop. XO Trish

ColletteWhat beautiful images! I actually gasped at a few of them. You have a wonderful eye and style. The one of your daughter in the gown is priceless. I have just found your blog and am adding to my bloglist.

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About Me

Like so many francophiles out there, I have also fallen under the spell of all things French. The lifestyle, the markets, French Brocantes... I love the hunt for antique monogrammed linen,chanvre, metis,hemp and lace, religious iconography, vieux carte postale or whatever intrigue to bring back and share at my brocante events.
Living in Stellenbosch winelands in the very South of Africa,we combine our colonial roots with French finds. These are my passions.This is my world.